Netflix, CraveTV this weekend: What’s new? What’s worth it?

The selection wasn’t as good this week, with March starting to dwindle down. I tend to try to bring lesser-known classics or flicks you may not have seen in years to the forefront. Let’s see if any of these work for the weekend.

Also, you can catch more reviews about films in Halifax theatres, week-to-week posts about films available on DVD and ITunes, and general buzzworthy film news at parkeratthepics.com.

17 Again

This film catches Zac Efron between his High School Musical days and his jump to the A-list, and the Freaky Friday-type film is a nice little romp. Debuting in 2009, it features standout comedic performances from Efron, Leslie Mann and the always-welcome Matthew Perry.

It won’t rock your world, but it’s a delightful flick to catch with the kids, and if you want something light and easy, 17 Again will absolutely do the trick.

3.5/5 Stars

The Godfather

From the spellbinding central performance by Marlon Brando to the characteristics that would define gangster pics for the next 50 years, The Godfather is a true classic.

All three Francis Ford Coppola films hit Netflix this month, and a marathon is certainly “an offer you can’t refuse.”

5/5 Stars

Star Trek Beyond

The third iteration in the rebooted Star Trek series fails to live up to the first, but far surpasses the second in quality, humour and pure entertainment value.

It’s a high-octane film with a penchant for hitting all the right notes. It’s a minor treasure even those who aren’t well-versed in Trekkie fandom can enjoy.

3.5/5 Stars

4th Man Out

For those of you looking for something off the beaten path, 4th Man Out is an endearing comedy about a guy who comes out and tries to navigate the revelation as his friends also try to adjust.

This is a grown-up film that deals with difficult issues, but with a great ensemble and a really, really true-to-life way of sequencing, this one truly is a gem.

It’s an LGBTQ film that is neither preachy or pretentious and a comedy that never takes the easy route or falls into parody or pandering.

Try it out, you’ll be surprised just how much you enjoy it.

4/5 Stars

A History of Violence

David Cronenberg has been a reliable director for years, and A History of Violence may very well be his best, most accessible film.

It’s about a man who is confronted in his small-town diner by mobsters, who claim he used to be one of them.

He’s forced to take them down to avoid a tragedy — all while claiming he’s embroiled in a case of mistaken identity….. Or is he?

Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and John Hurt give some career-best performances in a film that will grip you until its final frame. This is a personal favourite of mine and a welcome addition to the Netflix library.

4.5/5 Stars

What's new this week

Here are the lists of movies and TV shows that are expected this week. Release dates are subject to change.

NETFLIX

March 18

3 Days to Kill

March 21

Fire at Sea (Fuocoammare)

March 23

Big Fat Liar
The Incredible Hulk
Road Trip

March 24

Bottersnikes & Gumbles (season 2)
Felipe Neto: My Life Makes No Sense
Grace and Frankie (season 3)
Hell or High Water
Ingobernable (season 1)
The Most Hated Woman in America
Stranger Than Fiction

March 26

Goon

CraveTV

March 18

Saving Hope (season 5, episode 2)

March 19

Billions (season 2, episode 5)

March 21

Outsiders (season 2, episode 7)

March 24

About the Author

Jordan Parker is a multimedia journalist with The Chronicle Herald and film geek. He worked for movie theatres for eight years and did a concentration in Film Studies at Dalhousie University. Jordan blogs about movies and the entertainment world at parkeratthepics.com.